Ban Bill Blair

May 02, 2020

In concert with our other firearms organizations, Canada’s National Firearms Association demands the immediate removal of Bill Blair as Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, and further, a public inquiry into the rationale and actions leading to the recent sweeping firearms ban.

Speaking from Prince George, BC, NFA President Sheldon Clare said, “From our analysis of yesterday’s regulation banning hundreds of thousands of semi-automatic firearms, and from the briefing with representatives from stakeholders, Public Safety, CBSA, Global Affairs, the R.C.M.P. and Justice, it is clear that the regulations were rushed through, and are ill-considered, unfair, and will cause harm. The Minister is either malicious or incompetent, and either reason warrants his dismissal.”

“The government has been arbitrary and vindictive in the way in which this was done. Last minute enabling changes to the law regarding what may and may not be classified are cause for grave concern about process and purpose,” stated Sheldon Clare, President and CEO of the NFA. “These regulations were clearly a rush job, and possibly violated international agreements regarding notice of significant changes affecting international trade. The rationale for this action is highly suspect and simply unsupportable on the facts. There was no emergency here – this is clearly a matter of social engineering and ideology, rather than sensible public policy,” Clare continued.

“Firearm business owners have told us that they are on the hook for millions of dollars of product which they can neither sell nor return due to US import/export regulations. The Government made no arrangements with the US to return this unsold product. The late Thursday closing of the transfer system caught many dealers and customers by surprise as money was exchanged but products were unable to change ownership. This meant unhappy people seeking refunds from ambushed stores. Further, the firearms selected for prohibition include many rifles which are well known to be suitable for hunting and sporting purposes. It is a lie to refer to these firearms as military grade weapons. They are simply modern sporting firearms of ergonomic design. The attack on historical relics and curios is also offensive. This entire gun grab is based upon nothing more than ignorance and emotion – it clearly has nothing whatsoever to do with public safety. Exceptions for some groups of Canadians regarding firearms for hunting practices is also highly offensive and divisive.”

“During this time of economic crisis and pandemic, attacking firearms businesses and hundreds of thousands of ordinary Canadians who participate in hunting, target sports, collecting, as well as those who make a living providing protection and security is ill-considered and adds to our current economic disaster. It was clear to the NFA that while lists of what to ban had been considered for some time, the Liberal government has not fully considered the associated consequences, intended or not.”

“This radical and sweeping action serves only the politics of division – it in no way augments any aspect of public safety. In our opinion Minister Blair has bungled this file and the NFA calls for his immediate removal from the Public Safety portfolio.”

Clare concluded, ”The NFA continues to communicate with its members, clubs, and businesses along with legal advisors to ensure we have all the information to make good decisions in the fight for our rights as we move forward. In the meantime, the NFA advises all members to consult the regulations and the gazette, seek legal advice as needed, and to get involved in politics, right now.”

Canada’s National Firearms Association is this country’s largest and most effective advocacy organization representing the interests of firearms owners and users. Canada’s National Firearms Association is the largest Canadian organization fighting for the rights of Canadian firearms users. NFA is a registered UN NGO with consultative status to ECOSOC.